ELDERLY MAN DIES IN HARVEY HOUSE FIRE

Lola Smallwood, Tribune Staff WriterCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Harvey Fire Department officials Monday were investigating the cause of a fire that killed an elderly man over the weekend.

John Piel, 88, of the 15500 block of Marshfield Avenue, was found dead by firefighters inside his one-story bungalow after a small fire erupted in the front area of the home about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, officials say.

Piel's death was ruled an accident by the Cook County medical examiner's office after autopsy results showed he died from inhalation of smoke and soot, an office spokeswoman said.

John Dulaney, a neighbor of the victim's, said Piel was a longtime fixture of the neighborhood.

"You could see him every day going for his walk to downtown Harvey," said Dulaney, who said Piel had lived on the block for more than 32 years. Piel lived alone in the house for several years following the death of his brother, Dulaney said.

Harvey fire officials say this is the first fire to claim a life in the city for at least two years.

"It's been awhile, and we're trying to determine what caused the blaze," said Harvey Fire Capt. Steven Ciecierski.

On Monday, fire investigators and members of the Harvey Police Department Bomb and Arson team --who routinely work together on fatal fires -- conducted routine examinations of debris, Ciecierski said.